PROGRESSIVE SPIRIT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 36, 11 August 1923, Page 11

PROGRESSIVE SPIRIT

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRISONS

A number of questions in respect to the administration of the prisons of New Zealand were replied to by the Minister of Prisons (the Hon. C. J. Parr) in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Minister stated that no State department had shown a more progressive spirit than the Prisons Department, and that great changes and reforms had taken place in recent years. The classification had been improved, and was considerably, better than it was years a«-o, but he admitted there was room for further improvement. An outstanding feature of the prisons management had been the adoption in recent years by the Controller-General and his officers ■of an- attitude of humanity, and almost of kindness, towards the prisoners rath•er than one of severity. There was no ground for the fear that trie prisoners were being "coddled," but wherever a map knew he could be trusted he was ■trusted, and was largely put upon his hpnour. It had been suggested that some prisoners desired to return to prison after being discharged. "He did not think there was much risk of a 1 very large number, wishing to return.. The main deterrent on the prisoners was the loss of-personal liberty. Labour members: ''Hear, hear." Mr. Parr: "You can put a bird in a gilded cage or put a man in a firstclass hotel for a couple of years and say, 'You must not leave.' It is that, deprivation of the /ight to do as he: pleases for a time that after all hurts, his spirit and is the real punishment." Commenting upon the increase in' juvenile crime as indicated in the prisons report, the Minister said the fact was no doubt symptomatic >of the times. An hon. member: '.'lt is very much worse in Australia."

The position, in regard to juvenile crime, said the Minister, was very regrettable. One might try to seek the cause, but it was very difficult to find it. The Controller-General expressed the opinion that lack of-home life was responsible, and suggested that it might be met by the various social welfare societies co-ordinating their efforts. Replying to another question, he said that the hospital boards were receiving 30s per head per week for attention to sick prisoners, and were demanding an increase of ths amount to about £2 10s or £3. No agreement had ■ yet been reached in the matter, but the Government pointed out that the hospital boards should not forget that they received a £ for £ subsidy from the Government. It ,was not unreasonable therefore, to expect them to reduce their charges for State prisoners. The whole question would probably be reviewed at an early date. At any rate it would be reconsidered by Cabinet.